Month: May 2019

The Festas de São João are all about smiles, inclusion and good times, so we want anyone who wants to come dance with us to know the basic steps and ‘levantar poeira!’”

— Andressa Furletti, Group .BR Artistic Director

NEW YORK, NEW YORK, USA, May 24, 2019 /EINPresswire.com/ — Each year as June approaches, Brazilian expats start to get a little homesick, and New York’s Group .BR is no different.

“Lots of people know about Carnival, but the Festas Junina or Festas de São João are some of the liveliest and biggest events of the year,” says Group .BR’s Artistic Director, Andressa Furletti. “Every June, Brazilians get together with their families and friends to dance forró, quadrilha, enjoy the tasty food and have a great time!”

The Festas Junina/Festas de São João (June Party/St. John Party) are traditional Brazilian festivals that were introduced by Portuguese colonists and got mixed with African and Indigenous traditions creating something totally unique. The celebrations are marked by traditional food, music and the quadrilha – a Brazilian square dance. The event celebrates the end of Brazil’s rainy season and the corn harvest, which makes them festive, celebratory, abundant… and too good to miss.

So, Group .BR decided to fight the FOMO by bringing a true Festa de São João celebration to the Big Apple. On June 16th from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. at House of Yes, Group .BR will host Saravá! São João – an event dedicated to bringing this uniquely Brazilian event to life in New York. To make the event feel just right, Group .BR is bringing in some incredible Brazilian talent, including live forró music with Forró in the Dark and Trio Little Birds, with special guest Liz Rosa and DJs Deøgaz (Deo Jorge and Gaspar Muniz), DJ Greg Caz and DJapa spinning the best Brazilian beats. The party will also include traditional food, drinks, games, and of course, the quadrilha.

For those who don’t want to be wallflowers, Group .BR will host a free special quadrilha workshop June 14th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at North Brooklyn Farms. There will also be a forró class at Saravá! São João when the party is first getting started.

“We don’t want anyone to be left sitting on the sidelines,” says Furletti. “The Festas de São João are all about smiles, inclusion and good times, so we want anyone who wants to come dance with us to know the basic steps and ‘levantar poeira!’” (Levantar poeira means “kick up the dust” – a saying that references the dust kicked up when people dance certain Brazilian dances such as forró)

Kids accompanied by parents or legal guardians are welcome at Saravá! São João from 3 PM to 6 PM and kids under 12 years old have free entry. After 6 PM the event is 21+ only. Those who want to show up looking the part can research costume ideas at http://bit.ly/dress4saojoao. Andressa Furletti is available for interviews regarding Saravá! São João. To schedule an interview, contact Group .BR at info@group.br.com.

Do you find it difficult to meditate successfully, find your centre, or practice mindfulness? Getting out into nature can help put you back on a healthy path.

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, May 24, 2019 /EINPresswire.com/ — Do you find it difficult to meditate successfully, to find your centre, or to practice mindfulness? Getting out into nature can help alleviate these symptoms and put you back onto a healthy path.

Breathing fresh air, grounding yourself by planting bare feet in the grass, and swimming in a natural body of water can have quite the rejuvenating effect. Stretch out on the ground and watch the clouds roll past to help unblock creativity. Stretching, mindful breathing and doing yoga can also help.

If you can get away from the city to do so, even better. Many artists have found that creating in nature gives them a creative boost. Yoga enthusiasts often speak of the heightened euphoria they can experience while practicing yoga outdoors.

Footprints Resort, a private, natural retreat in central Ontario, sees many artists flocking to their grounds to create beautiful art. “We often see guests sitting on the hill overlooking the lake, with an easel set up or a sketch pad in their lap.” says Footprints owner. “The lake is quite beautiful and inspires a lot of artists to capture it.” The resort sees many photographers as well, hiking through the forest looking for that perfect picture. Sunsets over the lake are particularly breath taking.

Likewise, yoga practitioners are often seen on the beach or on the dock, surrounded by the natural beauty that is Footprints Resort. “It’s so quiet here,” the owner says, “and with no traffic noise, and no children on our Adults-Only resort, our guests can really meditate and practice yoga with none of the usual interruptions.”

Yoga instructors have flocked to Footprints in years past with their clientele to enjoy the view and the natural healing benefits of time spent in nature. Artist groups have booked the entire resort to offer their followers a creative retreat where they could paint, draw or otherwise create with abandon.

So, if you are having trouble tapping into your creativity or meditating successfully, perhaps a trip into nature is what you need.

About Footprints Resort: Located in central Ontario in a pristine, natural setting where time stands still, Footprints Resort is an Adults Only retreat where guests can relax and reconnect. Enjoy our natural, child free vacation destination just a few short hours drive from both Toronto and Ottawa and feel the stress of life melt away. Enjoy time on our private lake and beach, hike or bike the trails, soak up the sun and reconnect with nature. For more information about Footprints Resort, accommodations, rates and more, please visit www.footprintsresort.com

“Swingers” used to mean married couples who engage in sexual activities with others. This is still true, but activities and details of swinging have shifted.

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, May 24, 2019 /EINPresswire.com/ — Once upon a time, the word “Swingers” meant a married couple who engage in sexual activities with other married couples. While this is still true, the activities and details surrounding this lifestyle has shifted in recent years.

Back in the day, Key Parties were the norm, where husbands put their car keys in a bowl or bag at the beginning of the party. At the end of the evening, the wives would draw a set of keys from the bowl to determine who they would go home with. This sort of random match making seems to have gone the way of the DoDo Bird.

Today, modern swingers find many other ways to connect with interested participants, such as online swinger dating sites, Meet & Greets, hotel parties and swingers clubs, to name a few. Most modern swingers are a bit more discerning than our 1970’s counterparts, and are looking for more than just the proverbial shag.

By attending events organized specifically for swingers, attendees can chat with, share info and get to know others interested in this Lifestyle. For many, this goes a long way towards taking those first steps.

There are still those who are looking for the down and dirty of it all, but many modern couples are taking it slow and simply enjoying the atmosphere. Swingers clubs are seeing an upswing in numbers, and the owners of The O Zone in Toronto say it’s due in part to mature married couples looking for a chance to spice up their lives together. “Not all attendees are swingers. Many couples come to dance, to feel sexy, to flirt with their partner and perhaps with others, but many leave without ever visiting the playrooms”, The O Zone owners say. “We’re happy to offer a safe space where they can test the waters and see where they fit into this lifestyle, if at all.”

The club gets plenty of active swingers though, and by midnight the playrooms are in full swing, so to speak. One couple said this of The O Zone, “We love it here! While we are swingers and keep an eye out for others we might like to play with, we are very satisfied to spend an evening dancing, chatting with other couples and making friends. Visiting the club regularly has helped our marriage immensely.”

The O Zone has created a hedonistic nightclub paradise that appeals to many, no matter where their swinging mentality is. With state of the art sound and light system and numerous dance poles and platforms, attendees can enjoy an evening on the dance floor or chatting with other couples. If they find others to play with, there’s always the playrooms in the back, open all night long.

About The O Zone: Toronto's hottest couples' club, The O Zone is the place to be for swinging couples in Toronto. The O Zone is one of North America's largest "on premise" nightclubs. A hedonistic playground of over 10,000 square feet, The O Zone is filled with enough wild and sexy amenities to guarantee a most memorable night for Toronto swingers and open-minded couples. An alternative lifestyle social club, The O Zone is the hottest place in Toronto for couples to come and party, and to form friendships with compatible like-minded swinging couples. For more information about The O Zone, upcoming special events, and the latest club news, please visit www.ocouplesclub.com.

More and more couples are turning to Nudism as a way to spice up their lives while on vacation, and in turn are strengthening their marriage.

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, May 24, 2019 /EINPresswire.com/ — If you’ve ever gone skinny dipping at some point in your life, you may remember the glorious feeling of freedom as your clothing fell away. Or maybe it was the sensual feeling of the water gliding past bare flesh, or the thrill of the possibility of being caught that was so appealing. Perhaps it was the titillation of getting naked outdoors, something that is inherently taboo in the real world.

Many a free spirit has experienced this and more, and are seeking a place where they can explore nudism more freely. There are a few locations in Ontario that allow nudism, or at least may look the other way, but these are almost always ‘family friendly’, meaning nothing more than sunbathing and swimming in the nude.

If you wish for a little more freedom where you can get naked and still kiss the wife without recrimination, then check out Sandy Bottoms Resort. Designed for couples and being “Adult Only”, the owners of Sandy Bottoms understand this niche market has no where to go.

Located in central Ontario on a private lake, guests at Sandy Bottoms Resort have no worry of spectators across the lake, as is the norm at so many other nudist destinations.

If you’ve never taken a “Nakation”, the rules are simple. Carry a towel to sit on, and never sit down without it. Show respect for your fellow vacationers, nudists or not. Don’t stare or gawk at others. Don’t touch anyone or anything that is not your own without consent. No cameras or video equipment allowed, including cell phone cameras. These are standard rules at any nudist spot.

Sandy Bottoms Resort is “Clothing Optional”, which means guests do not have to be fully naked like at some other nudist destinations. This means for those who aren’t comfortable, go ahead and wear what you like. It’s very likely that after some time to acclimate, the desire to explore nudism will increase and inhibitions will slip away.

“We see this all the time” says Sandy Bottoms Resort owner. “One of the couple are anxious to be naked, and the other isn’t, but after a day or two, they both are strolling hand in hand, naked or partially undressed. We’re thrilled to offer an Ontario destination where they can explore together in comfort.”

What does one pack for a naked vacation in Ontario? You can skip the bathing suit, shorts and T shirts, but do pack something warm for those cold evenings. Pack a towel or sarong to sit on, and don’t forget a hat, bug repellent and plenty of sun screen.

About Sandy Bottoms: Sandy Bottoms Resort is a 10+ acre private retreat where the majestic outdoors is the backdrop for a secluded adult only paradise. Located in beautiful central Ontario on it’s own private lake, Sandy Bottoms is only a few hours from both Toronto and Ottawa. Couples are encouraged to relax and get to know each other, and is a place to let loose in a safe and private setting. Several accommodations options are available, and the resort is self-catering. For more information about Sandy Bottoms Resort, it’s themed week long vacation options, rates and schedule, please visit www.sandybottomsresort.com

We have had a very successful first quarter and look forward to sending the island more business in the second quarter, so this surge continues”

— Niamh McCarthy

NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES, May 24, 2019 /EINPresswire.com/ — Exceptional Villas, the World’s most trusted villa rental company are delighted to announce that the Cayman Islands is seeing record-breaking tourism growth this year.

The island reported 145,804 stayover visitor arrivals in the first quarter of 2019 which is an 8.67% increase over the same period in 2018.

There are new hotels, new restaurants, new luxury villas and new flights which have all resulted in this impressive growth. Grand Cayman’s brand-new international airport which opened just last month by Prince Charles has introduced new flights. Click Here for More Information

Cayman Airways introduced a new route from Denver and Colo and Southwest Airlines have also introduced flights from Baltimore/Washington making it easier for guests to reach the island and thus one of the reasons of the increase in visitors in the first quarter.

It has also been reported from the department of tourism that visitor spends for the first quarter was approximately CI$235 million which is fantastic for the economy of the island.

Cayman should be very proud of their first quarter and we were delighted with the increase in enquiries for our villas on the island. "We have had a very successful first quarter and look forward to sending the island more business in the second quarter, so this surge continues,” says Niamh McCarthy, Cayman Island specialist for Exceptional Villas.Exceptional Villas feature the most exclusive and luxurious villas on the island of Grand Cayman. All of the Exceptional villas specialists and concierges spend a lot of their time on the island of Grand Cayman viewing villas and meeting with local suppliers so they can suggest the best for their clients.

When a client books a villa with Exceptional Villas, they receive five-star service and a dedicated concierge who will organise their entire itinerary.

BOUT EXCEPTIONAL VILLAS

Exceptional Villas is a European based vacation Rental Company with clients and destinations all over the world. They have been in the travel business for over 25 years and offer a bespoke service to their clients. This service includes matching the perfect villa to each of their clients and also providing full and complimentary concierge service. This service includes organizing all aspects of the client’s vacations such as VIP airport arrival, ground transportation, restaurant reservations, tours and excursions, water sports and pre-arrival stocking. Unlike some of their competitors, they do not provide a membership fee. Likewise, their villa experts are indeed experts. They visit every single villa and have a wealth of information regarding each villa, as well as each destination. Exceptional Villas take total pride in the customized service they offer. The company also has designated brands specializing in Barbados: Villas Barbados and Ireland: Dream Ireland

420 U.S. flags providing the perfect back-drop for the Traveling Tunnel to Towers exhibit honoring the New York City Firefighters & First Responders

If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate.”

— Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl

WEST VALLEY CITY, UTAH, UNITED STATES, May 23, 2019 /EINPresswire.com/ — In the tradition of its eighteen-year legacy of remembering and honoring the victims of 9.11 the Utah Healing Field®, provided by the Colonial Flag Foundation proudly posts 420 United States flags providing the perfect back-drop for the Traveling Tunnel to Towers exhibit honoring the New York City Firefighters and First Responders parked on display at West Valley Centennial Park. Both foundations trace their origin to honoring the innocent victims of terrorism and heroes who died working to save them, September 11, 2001.

Posted in solemn uniform rows and columns at the West Valley City Healing Field® display stands one flag for one heroic life lost running into burning buildings to rescue World Trade Center workers and visitors. Each flag has a name and tells a story of unconditional valor, that each will always be remembered and that their sacrifice not be in vain.
This is the essence of meaning for the Utah Healing Field® flag display which will post more than 3,000 flags on the Sandy City Promenade this coming September.

The impact and meaning of the Utah Healing Field® has grown and spread from coast to coast and beyond. Developed as the Programs of the Colonial Flag Foundation, Healing Field® and Field of Honor® flag displays are now posted in hundreds of communities all through out the year for various causes while honoring other heroes in uniform that are in service to protect us all.

This Memorial Day weekend in 28 cities across America nearly 18,000 United States flags will fly on one of 28 other Healing Field® and Field of Honor® flag displays honoring fallen military service men and women. Each flag carries a name and a story provided by a family member or loved one. All united on a grassy field with fellow comrades, awaiting visitors that wish to walk among them and find a place of honor, remembrance and gratitude.
This weekend is the perfect opportunity to honor and remember all those that wear a uniform in service and sacrifice for us all.

Visit the Healing Field® flag display along with the Tunnel to Towers exhibit at the West Valley City Centennial Park.
Located at= 5415 W 3100 S, West Valley City, UT 84120
From May 23rd thru May 29th, 2019

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, May 23, 2019 /EINPresswire.com/ — Way.com, the Silicon Valley-based marketplace for services, has launched an exciting and fun new service for its users – activities! Building a fast and convenient platform to find What’s Around You, Way.com has introduced new ways to plan your travels. With one app, customers of Way.com can purchase event tickets, reserve parking, plan to dine, get exclusive prices on movie tickets and, now, plan activities almost anywhere in the world.

“Our users today are able to access incredible parking options during their travels easily. But we know that they are not parking for the sake of parking, they have an experience they want to participate in. At Way.com, we are taking a step back to understand our user’s preferences and recognize what they are looking for,” said Bhumi Bhutani, Co-Founder of Way.com “As we better understand the parking options they select, we get a better understanding as to what they want to experience. With this information, we incorporate machine learning to optimize our recommendation engines.”

The activities Way.com offers, range from tours of famous attractions to food and wine tours to boat rentals and more! Now, it’s fast and simple for users to search for activities in their home town, on-the-go when traveling or when making travel plans.

“There are 13 major holidays and so many more that people celebrate throughout the year. Way.com recognizes that people plan their activities around these holidays and wants to help. We want our users to feel special by creating amazing packages that include special deals they would not be able to access by any other means. We know that parking is only part of the journey, and now Way Activities is one of the destinations.”

Way.com became a leader in online reservations for parking, with more than 20,000 Way partners in Canada and the US, and has a strong road map to become the leader in the all-in-one marketplace services industry. Currently, Way.com offers exclusive deals on parking, movies, events, dining and now, activities. To learn more about Way, visit https://www.way.com/

Visitors to Field of Honor® and Healing Field® flag displays experience a breathtaking view as numerous flags flutter in the wind. First-timers often find this affects them more than they expected. At the Colonial Flag Foundation headquarters, we hear repeated comments such as, “I thought it would be beautiful, but I had no idea how amazing the experience would be.”

Having visited many of our flag displays, we understand. Our problem, however, is that we are unable to visit all these amazing events. This Memorial Day, for example, 17,337 United States Flags will fly in 28 Field of Honor® and Healing Field® displays located in 13 states. Like proud parents of large families, we love each of our offspring and imagine that some may become tired of our constant bragging.
Nevertheless, we have a lot to brag about, and it is all true. As a matter of fact 20 of the 28 hosting organizations are bringing return events to their communities. As we talk with them we learn of their amazing accomplishments. Six have hosted events for more than ten years. These repeating events have also inspired 8 first-time displays to join with them.

This all recounts the impact that the flag displays have in drawing the community together to honor heroes who have earned respect and appreciation. We often note on event web pages that each flag tells a story, and we have learned the impact that the displayed flags have for families and sponsors.

There is, however, another benefit resulting from Field of Honor® and Healing Field® flag display events. The 28 events posting flags this Memorial Day will through their event raise money for 30 causes. The number 30 is important as it means that each of the 28 hosting organizations selected their own benefiting charity, and two events named two charities. It follows, then, that the proceeds from these events remain in the local communities to benefit local causes. Service clubs have programs that benefit numerous local programs. Other named charities benefit veterans, police, fire fighters and support numerous local causes. Last year alone, Colonial Flag Foundation events raised over a million dollars for charity.

We will visit as many flag display events as possible, but we can’t make it to all. Nevertheless, we encourage those who can visit a Field of Honor® or Healing Field® flag display to not miss the opportunity. The flag displays may be visited without cost. Each event is a gift to the local community made possible by the hard work and planning of host organizations and dedicated volunteers.

Please support these events through flag sponsorships and donations. Field of Honor® and Healing Field® flag displays return so much to their communities on so many levels. If there is one in your area, spread the word and bring your family & friends.

The Scientology Information Center in downtown Clearwater has become a hub for cultural events, such as this piano concert held last year. This September, the Center will be hosting a community piano concert in honor of National Piano Month.

Our biographical displays at the Information Center shed light on this relatively unknown aspect of Mr. Hubbard’s life. He also was a big supporter of the arts and artists.”

— L. Ron Hubbard

CLEARWATER, FL, US, May 23, 2019 /EINPresswire.com/ — This September, in honor of National Piano Month, the Scientology Information Center will host a special piano concert on September 21st. Pianists of all skill levels are invited to participate.

“We would like to see local artists with piano skills showcasing their talent,” said Amber Skjelset, the manager of the Scientology Information Center. “This will be a unique community-collaboration performance. This includes those with self-taught talent, hobbyist, amateur or professional skill.”

Those interested in participating can apply by contacting Ms. Skjelset to set up an audition on the Center’s baby grand piano. All genres of music are welcome.

September is National Piano Month, started in 1991 by the National Piano Foundation. It is celebrated across the U.S. in many ways including taking piano lessons, doing fun piano exercises, learning new songs on the piano or even participating in a local piano competition.

The Scientology Information Center, opened in July 2015, provides answers to common questions about Scientology, its founder, L. Ron Hubbard and the humanitarian programs the Church sponsors across the world.

In addition to its educational mission, the Information Center hosts community events honoring holidays and special days, theater performances and music concerts numbering over 100 to date.

“L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology was himself an accomplished musician,” said Ms. Skjelset. “Our biographical displays at the Information Center shed light on this relatively unknown aspect of Mr. Hubbard’s life. He also was a big supporter of the arts and artists – once writing ‘A culture is only as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamed by artists.’”

For more information on how participate as a performer, attend this concert or to learn more about the Scientology Information Center, please contact Amber at 727-467-6966 or amber@cos.flag.org.

The Scientology Information Center:

The Scientology Information Center, located in the century-old Clearwater Building in downtown Clearwater, opened on July 11, 2015 by the Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization, and currently houses a gallery of audiovisual displays with some 400 videos. The Center is open to all and provides a self-guided tour showing basic Scientology beliefs, Churches around the world, ongoing social programs and the life of L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology’s founder. The Center offers tours to the broad public and civic leaders; holds concerts, theatrical performances and receptions for the community; and opens up the use of its conference room to social, civic and non-profit groups.

For more information on Scientology, visit www.scientology.org or the Scientology Network on DirecTV channel 320, or streaming at www.scientology.tv or apps at appleTV, fireTV and ROKU.

Bend was a natural fit…Our apparel, gifts and souvenirs align well with the positivity and sense of community in Central Oregon, and the Old Mill District is at the heart of it all.”

— Rick Gilbert, Owner, Grafletics

BEND, OR, UNITED STATES, May 23, 2019 /EINPresswire.com/ — Grafletics, an Oregon sport and lifestyle apparel brand, will open its second location in the Old Mill District in early June. The sports-centric apparel shop strives to harness the feeling of what it’s like to live in Oregon and the result is an offering of custom-designed t-shirts, hats, sweatshirts and gifts. Owner, and graphic designer, Rick Gilbert opened Grafletics’ flagship location in Portland two years ago and Bend will be the company’s first retail expansion.

Gilbert said, “Bend was a natural fit for our second location, and not just because I love the weather, nature and the active lifestyle of the community. Our apparel, gifts and souvenirs align well with the positivity and sense of community in Central Oregon, and the Old Mill District is at the heart of it all.”

Grafletics products appeal to locals and visitors alike, with a unique retail experience unlike any other in the Pacific Northwest. The warm, welcoming atmosphere is indicative of Gilbert’s approach to the business and his enthusiastic connection to the community. His designs are inspired by his own first-hand experiences, and the Grafletics collection includes multi-sport, and lifestyle themed designs. Each piece’s look and feel is centered around the passion to further connect as a sporting community, while also being comfortable and long-lasting.

The new shop will be dynamic with its unique mix of locally themed products, and the onsite ticket purchasing location for the Les Schwab Amphitheater. Grafletics will also be a primary location to purchase Old Mill District Gift Cards.

Grafletics will be located at 450 SW Powerhouse Dr., Suite 408 Bend, Oregon 97702
and will open in June 1. For more information, visit www.grafletics.com or call (503) 780.8784

About Grafletics
Founded in 2013, Grafletics is a Portland, Oregon based sport and lifestyle apparel brand that strives to capture the essence of “game time” and weave it into our daily lives. The company represents the marriage of two ideals held by founder Rick Gilbert – and the people of the Pacific Northwest – the intensity of protecting home court and the clean subtleness of timeless design. At the core of Grafletics is the commitment to make unique products that represent what Oregon loves most, in an authentic way. www.grafletics.com

About the Old Mill District
One of the Pacific Northwest’s most distinctive and dynamic mixed-use developments, the Old Mill District is located on 270 acres that formerly housed one of the largest sawmill operations in the world. The rich history of the land is coupled with spectacular mountain views, scenic river vistas and an extensive trail system to enjoy the outdoors. More than 55 local, regional and national retailers and businesses call the Old Mill District home. Bend’s Old Mill District – the most unique shopping, dining, living, and entertainment experience in the region. www.oldmilldistrict.com